To be a July child: the struggles and the advantages

Ever since the world learned that the Royal Baby is to be born in July, I was ecstatic. I know there are already a few royal July children (young and old) but this baby is different. (S)he is the grandchild of my favourite princess, Diana, Princess of Wales. I watched the Royal Wedding of his/ her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I admire his/her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who is queen of my country as well – and, coincidentally, born the same year as one of my grandmothers. Whereas I had not even existed when Princes William and Harry were born, this is the first time I’ll ‘witness’ the birth of a royal heir(ess) to the throne, who will share my birth month. I just wanted something in common with this Royal Baby, be the child a boy or a girl.

Prior to the announcement on Monday, no one seemed to really talk about July kids. I knew we’re all born differently but I didn’t think that our birth month really affected us. Now there are daily articles and blog posts of info and tips on raising/having/being a July child popping out. I am learning a lot about myself and why things happened the way they did! Certainly, every July child is different and most of the ones I knew always seemed to fare far better than I had. Perhaps it had to do with the way they were raised too. In Rosie Murray-West’s Kate Middleton: Welcome to the summer baby club in The Telegraph, I learned the following:

“Summerborn children are the youngest in their school years, and research shows that they carry this burden with them for the rest of their lives.”
“They also have lower confidence in their academic ability and are more likely to report being unhappy and bullied at school.”

‘That’s me!’ I thought. Although I was not the youngest (there were usually a few Sept-Dec babies born the same year who skipped a grade), I certainly felt like the snail or tortoise that trailed behind everyone else. A real late bloomer. Today, when I talk about how much I’d hated school, most of my friends can’t seem to understand me. I hated Primary 3 – Grade 7 for 2-3 main reasons: 1) HW and school work. I hardly understood what was going on! 2) Mean girls. 3) Some intimidating teachers! Lack of confidence probably allowed bullies to take advantage of my vulnerability, and, being a sensitive child, I became very unhappy.

This is why I don’t like thinking about my childhood. 😉

Well, that’s the downside of being a July child. Oh and not having any school friends for a birthday party. Nonetheless, I still loved being a summer child when the sun’s out and there are lots of free time (= freedom!) to play. Honestly, summers were the only favourite part of my childhood.

Before you think that it’s not good to have a summer baby, The Mirror points out that summer bab[ies] ‘ha[ve] less chance of being teenage tearaway[s].’ This is true of me, for one. 🙂

Ms Murray-West provided the Duchess with tips on how to raise a summer baby, with which I completely agree:

“Complaints from your child about not being as quick as their friends need to be countered, quickly, with something that they are good at.” – Very important to boost one’s confidence!
“Extra curricular activities are good for this – especially if it is something rare that none of their friends have ever tried.” – I certainly excelled at my extra curricular activities more than at my academics!
“Drama classes are the tried and tested confidence builder.” – I’ve always enjoyed drama but I didn’t get into it until Gr 10. I think it transformed me quite a bit since then!

I have to thank my parents for encouraging me. Without their encouragement and prayer support, I wouldn’t have come thus far. I feel that Duke, another summer child, and Duchess will make wonderful, patient, and caring parents.

Based on the likelihood of a mid-July birth, I’ve also learned this about myself!